Plait, braid, cornroe &amp; cornroll pik

ABSTRACT

An implement which is particularly useful for unbraiding or unplaiting braided and plaited hair. A handle extends across the palm of the hand and is grasped at the top between two fingers such as the index and next finger. The handle has three, fingerlike extensions - the longest being straight, the one in the middle having a bent tooth, and the shorter one on the outside having a bent tip. The device may be molded substantially flat.

United States Patent 1191 Walker Oct. 8, 1974 [5 PLAIT, BRAID, CORNROE & CORNROLL 3,750,680 8/1973 Miller 132/11 R PIK Primary Examiner-G. E. McNeil] [76] Inventor Walker Moblle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Patrick F. Henry [22] Filed: June 27, 1973 57 ABSTRACT [21] App]. No.: 373,990 An implement which is particularly useful for unbraiding or unplaiting braided and plaited hair. A handle extends across the palm of the hand and is grasped at '8' 5 2 the top between two fingers such as the index and next [58] i "132/1 R [37 finger. The handle has three, finger-like extensions the longest being straight, the one in the middle hav- [56] References Cited mg a bent tooth, and the shorter one on the outslde having a bent t1p. The dev1ce may be molded substan- UNITED STATES PATENTS tiany flat 551,175 10/1895 Bechtold 132/137 2,176,460 10/1939 Kruger et al 132/11 R 6 Chums, 2 Dl'awlng Flgures PATENT uum 81974 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG. 2

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Hair grooming devices including combs and comblike implements. 2. Description of the Prior Art There are combs and comb-like devices in the prior art which include relatively sharp tipped members used for penetrating the hair. These devices are not much help for unplaiting plaited or braided hair. It takes considerable time to comb through even a moderate type plait or braid with an ordinary comb or ordinary comblike device. Also, there is a problem of hair breakage and it is virtually impossible to take plaits apart with an ordinary comb without breaking-off much of the tightly plaited or braided hair. One currently popular hairdo I known as the cornroll is particularly difficult to do when compared with a simple hair braiding or plaiting. It is even more difficult and takes more time to undo the cornroll hairdo. The present hair grooming device is especially useful for unplaiting or unbraiding braided or plaited hair and for undoing a cornroll hairdo. The arrangement and configuration enables the user to get to larger, thicker plaits and braids and provides more leverage when loosening a very tight braid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a hair grooming implement which is arranged to be inserted in plaits or braids and to undo same with less difficulty than ordinary combs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hair grooming device which may be used for undoing plaits, braids or cornroll hairdos with less breakage to the hair.

Still another object of this invention resides in the arrangement of the device which permits it to be manufactured in a compact manner from molded or fabricated plastic.

An additional object of this invention is found in the way the device is held in the hand to give a great deal of freedom of use but at the same time to provide a maximum gripping by the hand so that a strong effective pulling force can be exerted without so much effort.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present device. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The complete device is designated generally by reference numeral and comprises a handle 12 having finger depressions 14. therein. The handle 12 is intended to be held in the palm of the hand above the crotch of the thumb and two of the fingers placed about the upper part 16 of the handle 12 and the forefinger placed on the other side. Three, finger-like extensions 20, 22, and 24 extend from the handle portion 16 and 2 with the palm facing upwardly the finger-like extension 20 is'straight and pointed, the middle finger-like extension 22 is shorter than finger-like extension 20and has a bent tip formed in arake-like fashion to provide a hook 26'. The outside finger-like extension 24 is formed with a bent tip in a rake-like fashion to provide a hook 28.

The device 10 is designed especially for unplaiting or unbraiding plaits or braids including the so-called cornrows or cornrolls. It is intended for use by males and females of all ages and can be used by an individual whose hair is styled or it can be used on one individual by another person. There are no attachments or moving parts. The long and straight finger-like extension 20 enables the user to get to larger, thicker plaits and braids and provides leverage when loosening very tight braids. The finger-like extension 24 is pointed and designed to fit into the tiny holes formed at the end of a plait and at the base of a cornroll braid. The tip 28 of the finger-like extension 24 provides for a smooth downward motion pulling the plait apart. It is this motion and procedure that speeds up the process of unplaiting and unbraiding. In addition, there are no rough edges on the device and all of the points which touch the hair move freely between the twist of the plait and prevent hair from breaking off. The middle finger-like extension 22 performs basically the same function as the one on the right except on larger, middle sized plaits and braids.

The device 10 can be made of many materials. However, plastics and hard rubber are probably the best possibilities. It can be manufactured simply by using a custom injection mold system. The device 10 can be made in several sizes but is most useful when it is sized to fit the contours of the average persons hand.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention this is by way of illustration onlyand does not constitute any sort of limitation on the scope of the invention since various alterations, changes, deviations, eliminations, omissions, departures and revisions may be made in the embodiment shown without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the appended Claims.

What is claimed:

1. In a hair grooming implement particularly useful for unplaiting or unbraiding hair:

a. a handle member having a portion extending outwardly thereof, said handle being grasped in the hand with some of the fingers around the handle portion,

b. an elongated, substantially straight finger-like member extending from said handle portion for the purpose of manipulating, thicker, larger plaits and braids and to provide leverage when loosening a very tight braid, I

c. at least one other finger-like extension spaced from said first finger-like extension on said handle portion, said other finger-like extension having a bent end thereon for the purpose of engaging aplait and to exert a rake-like engagement with a plait for a smooth motion pulling the plait apart.

2. The device in claim 1 wherein said device includes at least two finger-like extensions in addition to the first finger-like extension and both of said additional two extensions having bent tips thereon for engaging braided or plaited hair.

3. The device in claim 1 wherein said handle is of a shape and size to fit across the palm of the hand above the crotch of the thumb and said handle portion may be grasped between the fingers of the hand.

4. The device in claim 2 wherein said extensions are substantially in the same plane and are angularly displaced with respect to each other.

5. The device in claim 3 wherein said device includes placed with respect to each other. 

1. In a hair grooming implement particularly useful for unplaiting or unbraiding hair: a. a handle member having a portion extending outwardly thereof, said handle being grasped in the hand with some of the fingers around the handle portion, b. an elongated, substantially straight finger-like member extending from said handle portion for the purpose of manipulating, thicker, larger plaits and braids and to provide leverage when loosening a very tight braid, c. at least one other finger-like extension spaced from said first finger-like extension on said handle portion, said other finger-like extension having a bent end thereon for the purpose of engaging a plait and to exert a rake-like engagement with a plait for a smooth motion pulling the plait apart.
 2. The device in claim 1 wherein said device includes at least two finger-like extensions in addition to the first finger-like extension and both of said additional two extensions having bent tips thereon for engaging braided or plaited hair.
 3. The device in claim 1 wherein said handle is of a shape and size to fit across the palm of the hand above the crotch of the thumb and said handle portion may be grasped between the fingers of the hand.
 4. The device in claim 2 wherein said extensions are substantially in the same plane and are angularly displaced with respect to each other.
 5. The device in claim 3 wherein said device includes at least two finger-like extensions in addition to the first finger-like extensions and both of said additional two extensions having bent tips thereon for engaging braided or plaited hair.
 6. The device in claim 5 wherein said extensions are substantially in the same plane and are angularly displaced with respect to each other. 